Ruidoso or Cloudcroft, NM for a needed break?

[jonrjen]

I had questioned locations in the Chama, NM, Pagosa Springs, CO, Sante Fe, NM area a shot while back. There were a few comments as to if looking for a get away from the Texas heat to also consider the Ruidoso and Cloudcroft, NM area.

My question now is which one? What benefits does one offer over the other?

Or should I go back to looking at driving the extra few hundred miles and do the Santa Fe, Chama, Pagosa Springs trip?

[Boot_Strap]

More to offer as far as amenities in Ruidoso. Awesome dry camping around cloudcroft but Ruidoso has more restaurants, casino etc. Red River new Mexico is awesome too but you may also be stuck dry camping as full hook up rv spaces may be booked. My problem at is that above 6700 ft above sea level I have a hard time breathing. Ruidoso is close to that..cloudcroft around 9000 I think and red river 8700.

[eubank]

Geez, from the DFW area, I think I'd shoot for someplace in northern New Mexico or southern Colorado. Get on 287 north of the metroplex and drive northwest!
🙂
Lynn

[debraindi]

jonrjen wrote:
I had questioned locations in the Chama, NM, Pagosa Springs, CO, Sante Fe, NM area a shot while back. There were a few comments as to if looking for a get away from the Texas heat to also consider the Ruidoso and Cloudcroft, NM area.

My question now is which one? What benefits does one offer over the other?

Or should I go back to looking at driving the extra few hundred miles and do the Santa Fe, Chama, Pagosa Springs trip?

Ruisdos is beautiful MT country and the RV parks are reasonable I have reservation 9 15 for a motorcycle rally. Ruodso aspen cash rally .

[2gypsies1]

There are more RV parks in Ruidoso than Cloudcroft.

[frizzen]

Cloudcroft has about 10 tourist shops along a quarter mile of one street and a few restaurants. Other than that it's camping and trail riding or hiking. You don't have to cross the Mescalero reservation to get to it. Ruidoso is bigger and has more shops and restaurants and the Museum of the Horse at Ruidoso Downs. The Res is west of Ruidoso on US 70. Just driving across with a weapon isn't a problem.
A week in either place would be way more than enough, but that's probably true of any of the places you listed. Cloudcroft takes a couple of hours to see everything. Ruidoso maybe 2 days.

[jonrjen]

Best figured we will spend a full week at the destination we go with.

One of my concerns has to do with CHL legal carry. While New Mexico and Colorado do honor the Texas CHL, there is much more of a chance that in Ruidiso or Cloudcroft we would cross into an Indian Reservation where this could become an issue.......one that I would rather not have to think of or deal with.

[Sandia_Man]

Since no other specifics are mentioned other than escaping the heat, all of the locations mentioned would provide such relief if that is indeed your only requirement.

Ruidoso and Cloudcroft are pretty much the same area. Cloudcroft being higher in elevation will be a bit cooler but Ruidoso is also at high elevation and forested as well with the advantage of offering so much more to do. Cloudcroft is a very small town with limited choices, but it is short drive to either Ruidoso or Alamogordo to the west if you want to do White Sands or the Space Museum. Depending on what our goal is we either stay in Ruidoso or Alamogordo and day trip Cloudcroft.

Of the further north locations you mentioned, once again it boils down to what you want to do besides escape the heat. Chama is a great small town but not much to do after a day or two and riding the train. Since it is pretty much the same area you could always drive up to Pagosa Springs as it is just an hour away or possible drive down a bit to Heron Lake state park for water-based activities.

And finally, there's Santa Fe. Renowned for it's art and museums, there is so much more to do in the area. Great shopping, finest dining in all of NM, and a short drive to so many wonderful locations whether they are nature, science, or culturally based, the options are amazing. From Santa Fe you could also drive south roughly an hour to Albuquerque and enjoy what the biggest city in NM has to offer.

If time constricted, the Ruidoso/Cloudcroft area is the obvious choice and very popular among Texans for respite from the Lone Star state heat. Chama/Pagosa Springs area is also popular choice for those from Texas but their stays tend to be month(s) long. Santa Fe is, well, Santa Fe and easily the most popular destination in all of NM. People fly in from all over the country and world to visit although RV parks choices in the area are somewhat limited. Have a great time with whatever route you choose.

[BB_TX]

Cloudcroft is much higher than Ruidoso. And cooler (40's to maybe 70 vs 50's to maybe 80). But not really much in Cloudcroft except scenery and a few tourist shops. Ruidoso has more in the way of shopping, entertainment, museums, and dining if that matters. Neither has the scenic beauty of northern NM or southern CO.

[MiPaJacks]

I Chama, you do the railroad, Between Cloudcroft and Ruidoso, I would choose Cloudcroft, unless you like a lot of people, stores and traffic, in which case choose Ruidoso. Cloud croft is higher in elevation.

[Busskipper]

jonrjen wrote:
I had questioned locations in the Chama, NM, Pagosa Springs, CO, Sante Fe, NM area a shot while back. There were a few comments as to if looking for a get away from the Texas heat to also consider the Ruidoso and Cloudcroft, NM area.

My question now is which one? What benefits does one offer over the other?

Or should I go back to looking at driving the extra few hundred miles and do the Santa Fe, Chama, Pagosa Springs trip?

Think this sums it up; Charma Weather

Highs under 80 and lows so you need a blanket.

Sounds pretty convincing to me.